@Colin I don't remember altering settings.js. But What did was restore the flows from backup from the .node-red directory rather than the export flow>clipboard that worked getting the dashboards working again then I deleted the duplicated flows from the previous import.
The system had been running for many years, until I messed it up which happens from time to time. But never have I had to do a bare-metal restore. I had an SD card go duff but again I had an image backup.
Touch wood everything seems to be back working 
Thanks again to @Colin @Paul-Reed @dceejay @Steve-Mcl 
Now to sort my laptop hard drive that makes a horrible clicking/rattle occasionally and crashes Windows 7 bluescreen 
